Productivity+Tools

=Google Docs= =Is an online based and easy to use productivity tool set (Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Presentation software) that may be useful to students and teachers who wish to work collaboratively. Users can compose and edit text documents. Calculate numbers in a spreadsheet, and make basic slide shows.**To Get Started** = ** Simply sign in with a Google username (you may already have this if you have use other Google services such as Google Earth, Gmail or Sketch Up). Please Note: Your Internet Browser must enabled for JavaScript and cookies). Setup is quick and very easy. **

 Google Docs & Spreadsheets displays text and spreadsheet files in a list. You can organize by subject tags or chronologically in the order edited.
 * Features**
 * The sign-in page displays your word and spreadsheet files in one long list. Content is organized in topical tags. You can hide all files marked for "family" when signing on at school. Many teachers will like the fact that Google Docs. makes it nice and easy to take work home with you (when the need arises). Rather than having to e-mail a file of a story or some student work you are working on (perhaps marking or setting homework for students). You can simply upload the text (copy and paste will do the trick) to Google Docs & Spreadsheets to make after-hours editing or marking comments. For students, lots of potential here for carrying out homework tasks **

Text colouring and 19 fonts are available., the Insert tab displays wingdings and international symbols in a handy box. That's all the formatting you will need to write letters, assignments etc. for your personal use, as well as work for school. You can insert images, but just be aware that Google Docs. does not have the kind of editing functions that the Microsoft Office suite can provide.
 * Functions**
 * You can Edit, Insert, and Revise. A toolbar of graphical icons links to common editing features. Features are conveniently located in the File drop-down menu (e.g Word Count). Bookmarks is available, in case you want to set place marks within a long doc ument.**

Text tables: Note: There are limitations when compared with a full blown office suite

The real plus of online software such as Google Docs & Spreadsheets is that it lets you get and edit files collaboratively from any computer with Internet access. You can also invite anyone to make edits or view a document. Teachers and students can share their text and spreadsheets with other users via the Web.

Google Presentations provides a basic rival to Microsoft PowerPoint. There are no animations or transitions available. You can share presentations on the fly with other teachers and students

Google Docs & Spreadsheets lets you apply various formatting styles and fonts to text, which is good enough for most writing tasks. Purchased productivity software is better for creating a polished professional documents. You can simultaneously edit a spreadsheet and chat with a fellow user. This can save lots of time when you're working with formulas. No charting is available. Important Note: This online software is more about convenience and ease of use. Google Docs will let you do your work anywhere and collaborate with other users. That is where the real power lies for teachers and students.
 * Summary**


 * [[image:Google_Docs.jpg width="612" height="264" caption="Google Docs" link="https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?service=writely&passive=true&nui=1&continue=http%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2F&followup=http%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2F&ltmpl=homepage&rm=false"]]

Alternatives to Google Docs
Think Free Office Zoho Office